Do you have a struggling reader? One of the best strategies to help turn these readers into successful readers is to find books that appeal to that child’s interests. Let’s face it, most Science Fiction and Fantasy is written for an older audience. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and others (while great work) are geared towards children who are fine with sitting down to a 900 page book. That can be a problem when the child is a beginner reader or has other issues such as AD/HD. Today I will share some steampunk science fiction Books For Struggling Readers. These have an exciting plot line while being shorter and less challenging to read.
Books For Struggling Readers [Middle Grade Readers Ages 8-12]
For struggling readers, it’s important to find engaging books with accessible language, compelling stories, and supportive features like illustrations, short chapters, or dyslexia-friendly fonts. I did a search for Science Fiction for Struggling Readers and came up with nothing but non-fiction. Joan Brennan has a dedicated blog post for this very topic. She had better luck than most and came up with about 5 books for struggling readers in both Science Fiction and Fantasy.
We simply have to do better for these kids. Mass media would have us believe that we have to produce encyclopedic works of fun Science Fiction not just for kids who can’t sit still but for those with flights of fancy in their veins. This simply isn’t true. We need to meet kids where they are in their reading skill levels and encourage their natural reading progression by allowing them to follow their interest. Series are also great for improving reading fluency as they tend to get a little longer and more challenging at the perfect rate for the reader.
A Steampunk Science Fiction Series Is Born
A local Nashville author, Leonardo Ramirez says, “I remember sitting in my favorite chair after having this very same discussion with my wife who is a librarian. She had mentioned that she has trouble finding good Science Fiction for kids who struggled not just with comprehension but suffered from a lacking interest in reading. After two hours of scribbling ideas down on proverbial paper, my 10-year-old daughter came down and simply said, “Daddy, why don’t you write a story about two kids who rescue their dad on another planet?” Now all of us were involved in the effort. Additionally, it wasn’t enough for me to create a setting in a genre that is popular at the time. I wanted something new and different. It had to be Steampunk.”
And indeed, he did end up writing a steampunk science fiction book series, The Jupiter Chronicles. Here is my affiliate link to the series on Amazon. I ended up reading these books with my kids not long after I moved to Nashville.
What is Steampunk?
Steampunk is a sub-genre of Science Fiction where events during the industrial revolution were slightly altered. Electricity was never invented and everything runs on steam. Highly-advanced futuristic machinery such as steam-powered robots or flying machines are commonplace so you have a mixture of both past and future in one setting.
Key Features of Steampunk Books:
- Victorian – Set in the 19th century or inspired by its fashion and culture.
- Retro-Futuristic Technology – Steam-powered machines, gears, and clockwork devices.
- Inventors & Adventurers – Think mad scientists, airship captains, or time travelers.
- Aesthetic Details – Goggles, brass, leather, and intricate mechanical designs.
Steampunk fantasy is a genre that blends Victorian-era aesthetics with futuristic or fantastical technology, often powered by steam rather than electricity or modern advancements. It’s a mix of history, science fiction, and fantasy, creating an alternate reality where airships, clockwork machines, and elaborate brass gadgets exist alongside corsets, top hats, and monocles.
The Jupiter Chronicles: Steampunk Fantasy Books For Kids
When I asked Ramirez to share about how he starting writing his book series to begin with, he said, “I wrote The Jupiter Chronicles to help satisfy the need for short Science Fiction works that are good for beginner readers and struggling readers. After the book released it was then time to experiment. One of the fun tools we employed to get kids reading was Readers’ Theater at my wife’s school. They sure had a blast. We also talked about writing ideas down for a story and creating interesting characters. And yes, there were plenty of special effects. After I left, I learned that kids who normally aren’t interested in reading came in to the library begging for the book. The experiment worked. Kids with a low attention span have been reading The Jupiter Chronicles and wanting more. As an author, that’s all I can ask for.”
What are The Jupiter Chronicles About?
Ian and Callie Castillo have had to suffer the hardships of a single parent family since their father went missing five years ago. Since then Ian has refused to use the last gift that his father left the wounded boy; a telescope that sits collecting dust in the attic. When Callie decides to peer through its murky lens, it activates the device and sends the Castillos to the steam-powered floating cities of Jupiter to rescue their father and save the Jovians before the Martians launch their attack. The answer to their freedom lies within the Great Spot and it’s up to Ian and Callie to uncover its secret! The Jupiter Chronicles has 3 books in the series and the reading level advances with the books.
The Secret of the Great Red Spot Book (1 of 3)
This science fiction children’s book chapter series is most suited for children in second grade- fifth grade. My daughter and I read Nashville author Leonardo Ramirez’s The Jupiter Chronicles: The Secret of the Great Red Spot together when she was still learning to become a good reader. I’d read a chapter and then she’d work on a chapter with me. Callie was just her sort of character- strong, funny, and smart. She loved the first book of the Children’s Science Fiction Series.
“Ramirez expertly captures the banter of two siblings as they struggle to save Jupiter from the evil emperor. In this fast-paced steampunk adventure, he touches on the grief children experience over an absent parent and their feelings of helplessness. Ian and Callie find strength within themselves to overcome their fears and their differences to fight the real enemy.” ~Ann Wilkes – Science Fiction and Other Oddyseys
“Mr. Ramirez demonstrates he has truly found his talent and voice with this incredibly well-crafted book. This is the kind of book that gets the imagination moving at any age, making it perfect for children.” –Catrina Taylor, Xarrok Recommends
The Ice Orphan of Ganymede (Book 2 of 3)
There is a dramatic start to the book and it sucks the readers in on a desperate mission. It has the same brother and sister pair with the familiar sibling banter and silent support they offer one another in accomplishing their goals and solving mysteries. The Ice Orphan of Ganymede develops many of the same characters and adds a few new ones. These kids in this sci fi series are very empowered and the steampunk world is very well described. They embark on a journey that solves mysteries, holds a major surprise, and leaves some questions unanswered. My daughter loved it she was enamored with how creative it was.
When I asked my daughter if she had any questions for the author, Leonardo Ramirez, she said, “Why did it have to end?” I think that is a sign of a good book!
The Orb of Terra (Book 3 of 3)
As he struggles with his identity, Ian Castillo helps one of Earth’s greatest scientific minds, Dr. Nikola Tesla, make the scientific discovery of a lifetime. This book is a great conclusion to this steampunk book series.
Conclusion
Steampunk can be great for struggling readers because it blends exciting visuals, action-packed storytelling, and creative world-building, making it easier to stay engaged. Visit Leonardoverse: Science Fiction for the Human Condition for more about the author and his books. You can also tweet the author @leonardoverse. Do you think your kids would be interested in this book series of steampunk for kids?
My kids started with Steampunk fiction and moved onto Fantasy fiction. Now, they read 1,000 page books for fun and have fabulous imaginations. It all starts with nurturing their interests in books when they are young.
What do you love about Science Fiction books?
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Lisa Nelson says
Wow…wow…wow! My kids do not struggle reading, but I’m totally getting this book. While I do not like science fiction, I think it’s important to expose kids to different things. Who knows, maybe my oldest will love it.
Things like Harry Potter, in my opinion are not only too old – but just too scary.
Thanks for this!
Harv Griffin says
Scarlet & Lisa!
I don’t know about reading for children. But I do know that I had completely lost interest in books when I entered Junior High. With half an hour to kill I wandered the shelves of useless in the library, and stopped at I, ROBOT by Isaac Asimov. I read the first short story, and the ending made tears fall down my cheeks. I read the rest of the book, then wanted to read anything Asimov; later, almost any science fiction would do me; later I discovered fiction in other genres and then eventually non-fiction. But it all started with one sci-fi short story: ROBBIE, about a little girl and her robot playmate.
Of course, now with Siri and Google Glass and 3D printers, science fiction seems more like CliffsNotes for the Here and Now!
@hg47
Joan Brennan says
Scarlet and Lisa,
Many thanks for including the link to our Help for Struggling Readers blog in your article here. Your information about the Steam Punk series of books from Leonardo Ramirez is excellent—AND enticing for reluctant readers!
We help reluctant and struggling readers each day here at Brennan Innovators, LLC. Phone calls, emails and educational conferences connect us with many parents, teachers, grandparents and other adults searching for tools and strategies to help and serve challenged readers of all ages.
We hope you will visit our website at http://www.FocusandRead.com to learn more about our sensory-appealing and customizable tools (low-tech AND digital) that we provide to help struggling readers from 4 to 94 (with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, low vision and other issues) to focus and read with more success.
Thank you again for your excellent article here! Together we are helping more struggling and reluctant readers around the world!